Link Centre Dictionary

protective

pro·tec·tive

UK/pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv/ US/pɹəˈtɛk.tɪv/ fairly common uk

adjective

1.

intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind

  • “a protective covering”
  • “the use of protective masks and equipment”
  • “protective coatings”
  • “kept the drunken sailor in protective custody”
  • “animals with protective coloring”
  • “protective tariffs”
2.

showing a care

  • “a caring mother”
Synonyms
Similar
3.

(usually followed by `of'') solicitously caring or mindful

  • “protective of his reputation”
Similar

Origin

Borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtēctīvus. By surface analysis, protect + -ive.

Phrases

  • overcurrent protective device
  • personal protective equipment
  • protective briefs
  • protective custody
  • protective letter
  • protective order
  • protective pants
  • protective reaction

Related words

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.